The primary duty of the Saratoga County Planning Department is assisting the county’s 19 towns, 2 cities, and 9 villages in the administration of their land-use ordinances as effectively as possible. The Planning Department and Planning Board always strive to strike a balance between the interests of the public and the rights of private property owners. One of its primary roles is to provide technical assistance in the area of planning and zoning to local legislative boards, planning and zoning boards of appeals and building inspectors, attorneys and planners involved in the land development process.
Under General Municipal Law Section 239, the county planning board has jurisdictional review of subdivisions and zoning actions that are located within 500 feet of state or county right-of-way, municipal boundary, or located in an agricultural district. In its review the county planning board must, by law, consider the compatibility of various land uses with one another; the effect of traffic generation on other land uses; the adequacy of existing and proposed thoroughfare facilities; impact of proposed land uses on existing and proposed private or municipal uses. The protection of community appearance and character, as regards to predominant land uses, population density, and the relation between residential and non-residential areas is also considered. Another important responsibility is the review of official development policies as may be expressed through comprehensive plans, capital programs, or regulatory measures.
| Saratoga County Planning Board New York State General Municipal Law Article B, Sections 239-m and 239-n require municipal boards to refer certain planning actions to the County Planning Board for review before taking final action. The purposes of these laws are to encourage local decision-makers to consider the countywide and inter-municipal impacts of their local land use decisions. |
Board Members Tom L. Lewis, Chairman Devin Dal Pos Donald McPherson Ian Murray Marcia E. Murray Edwin Vopelak Cynthia Young |
• Adoption of amendment of a zoning ordinance or law
• Issuance of special use permits
• Approval of site places
• Granting of use or area variances
• Proposed subdivision plats
• Moratoria
• Other authorization which a referring body may issue under the provisions of any zoning ordinance or local law
• The boundary of any city, village or town.
• The boundary of any existing or proposed county or state park or any other recreation area.
• The right-of-way of any existing or proposed county or state parkway, thruway, expressway, road, or highway.
• The existing of proposed right-of-way of any stream or drainage channel owned by the county or for which the county has established channel lines.
• The existing or proposed boundary of any county or state owned land on which a public building or institution is situated.
• The boundary of a farm operation located in an agricultural district, as defined by Article 25-AA of Agriculture and Markets Law.
The Saratoga County Planning Board meets on the third Thursday of every month. Please contact the County Planning Department with any questions you may have regarding referrals.
Saratoga County Planning Board 239 Referral Form
Agricultural Data Statement and Control Form
2022 Saratoga County Planning Board Meeting Schedule and Submittal Cut-Offs
In 2003, the county enacted the farmland and open space program. The planning department works with a committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors to review applications and administer the program. This program has preserved several thousand acres of farmland and open space since its inception.
Since 1996, the planning department has applied for and received funding from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for trail designation and funding to operate as part of the NYS Snowmobile Trail System. The Saratoga County Association of Snowmobile Clubs is comprised of six clubs and covers more than 180 miles of groomed trails.
Additional Information
- 303b Agricultural District Inclusion Form
- DRAFT Final Report of the Eight-Year Review of Saratoga County Agricultural District #2
- 2022 Saratoga County Open Space and Farmland Protection Grant Program Application
- 2022 Saratoga County Economic Development Fund Application
- Saratoga County Green Infrastructure Plan
- Saratoga County Trails Initiative
- Farmland Conservation
- 2022 Saratoga County Planning Board Meetings and Submittal Cut-Offs
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Jason Kemper, Director of Planning – Email
Michael Valentine, Senior Planner – Email
Jeffrey R. Williams, Planner – Email
Troy Hilts, GIS Specialist – Email
Nisha Merchant, Confidential Secretary – Email
50 West High Street Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 884-4705
FAX: (518) 884-4780
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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